Richard S. Miller Collection

[Michael A. Ivie]

The Montana Entomology Collection (MTEC) of  Montana State Univesity's
Department of Entomology is overjoyed to announce a major donation of
specimens and the cabinets to hold them from Dr. Richard S. Miller.
Constituting aproximately 1/2 of the R. S. Miller Collection (RSMC), it is
especially rich in North American, Latin American, and Eurasian beetles,
with representatives of most insect orders.  This donation does not include
Dr. Miller's elateriods, with his world-class "cantharoid" holdings, most of
his Buprestidae, and his extensive collection of beetle larvae.  It is
accompanied by extensive literature donations.  Received in December, the
collection has now been counted and evaluated for incorportation into the
existing collections, and is available for study.

Dr. Miller is a Bozeman resident, and former MSU Entomologist, who has spent
much of the last 20 years building this research resource.  A 1991 recepient
of a Ph.D. in systematic entomology from The Ohio State University, he is a
world authority on the net-winged beetles who continues as an Associate
Curator of the MTEC on a volunteer basis.

"The specimens in this collection are characterized by very high-quality
curation, and extensive biological data, making it an extremely valuable
addition to the MTEC.  Its rich collections from eastern North America and
California fill large gaps in our holdings, while the unique Montana and
West Indian materials fit well with our strengths" said curator Dr. Michael
A. Ivie.  "Not only does it add thousands of species to our holdings, it
brings several families of beetles, wasps and flies that we did not have
represented."

Visiting University of Idaho systematist Dr. J. B. "Ding" Johnson said of
the donaton "This is a major collection of New World beetles, with strong
additions from the West Indies, Venezuela and Chile.  The number of rarities
and oddities is amazing."

According to Department Head Dr. Greg Johnson, donations like this one are
rare and valuable opportunities for MSU's research programs.  "The
importance of this collection to the exisiting holdings in the Montana
Entomology Collection cannot be overemphasized.  These specimens will serve
to enhance
our knowledge and understanding of the role they play in an everchanging
environment.  We are very grateful to Dr. Miller for his generous contribution."

The material will be added to the estimated 1.5 million specimen Montana
Entomology Collection housed in Lewis and Leon Johnson Halls on the Bozeman
Campus.